I got those settings from an earlier thread with moon shots...just can't take the credit. We'll chalk this one up to 'paying it forward!'

WOW! Thank you....that was a lesson well learned! Thank you! My nikon has an sensor cleaner so I never really had to put his theory to the test. Now I know. appreciate the info!

I've had these spots....Pro friend of mine saw them n said theyre on the front of the lens if they look diffuse like yours...sharper spots ... look to the back of the lens for the problem. Love cloning!

Here's what I was able to catch...ISO 125, 300mm F5.6 1/106sec. Tripod, AF, VR off. Nikon D7000, Nikor 55-300 1:4.5-5.6. I don't know if this is the best I'll ever get with this lens...They look soft to me.

aaahhh....thank you.

looks like he's packing his own keg! Beautiful photo.

EMU...maybe? I have no idea what an EMU looks like...but he sure is popular in crossword puzzles!

I sympathize with you. I got the supposedly better 70 - 300 with all of the fancy letters (AF-S VR G IF-ED), and I wasn't really aware of the image quality lacking until I started seeing some the bird images others on this forum are posting. I figure I can do a better job somehow, but I haven't got it figured out yet.[/quote]

Please keep me posted if you do! wehave the same lens.

I use the same lens on my d7000, so far I'm noy crazy about the lens. I expected so much more clarity, and I find the aperture limiting. So I guess it's not me. I recently upgraded from the D3000 and I'm a bit discusted with the decision....I knew the D3000 cold.Everything was knee jerk....now I;m so frustrated....I feel like I've forgotten the basics because I burn so much friggin brain power trying to remember what button to push. I was looking to increase clarity in my photos....instead I've fuzzed up my brain!

Thanks Bruce, temp and tint in Lightroom really brought the textures out. Everytime I learn something new in lightroom, I go back and play with these photos more. Lovin the digital age....it allows you to re-experience the same place again and again.

Thanks Tracy...I at least hope to get a print for my travel wall....These are so much fun to play with in lightroom....I just keep tweeking them...It's hypnotic....hours fly by (no dinner, the dog's been waiting by the door forever, eyes are glassed over) I do hope you get the chance to go there.

Allen, There are three canyons to see...upper and lower antelope, and rattlesnake. Lower antelope was not as crowded as upper. And rattlesnake had only our group of 8. When it was possible I used iso 100, 14-16 F and the exposure time varied. Some exposures were as long as 8 sec...some much shorter. I do recommend getting an indian guided photography tour. On a crowded day they do hold back the crowds so you can get the shots you went there for. The sun does come thru the canyon and light up the walls. I was there in April...and I seem to remember 10am as being the magic hour in one of the canyons. The walls go from a flat taupe to a firey orange. I wish I could remember the times better, but since you are going much later in the summer...these times will be different for you. Oh yea, be ready to tip the guide. MOST important....the amount of really really fine dust floating around is unbelievable. Leave extra equiptment behind...bring an extra battery...and I used a baseball cap that had an attatched neck protector on it to cover/protect the camera between shots. Enjoy...it's amazing....I have to say, the PP process is as amazing as the trip. I've enjoyed processing these photos more than my px of Peru and Italy. Funny...'cause there just rocks! Anyway, thanks for the complements. You may want to put the same question to Squirl033 as well....he has far more experience than I and has outstanding shots of the canyons...some made it to National Geographic.

Priceless....

thank you everyone

thank you everyone....the canyons are amazing...hard to get a bad shot!